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Bill "Buck" Bayless, Sr. (89) passed peacefully on Thursday, February 11th at his home in Wellsburg surrounded by his family, while holding the hand of his loving wife.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Herbert T. Bayless and Virginia Pearl (Keller) Bayless and his brother Herbert R. (Ann) Bayless.
He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of 68 years, Lucille E. (Michetti) Bayless whom he married in 1952 and adored ever since. He also leaves behind three daughters, Debbie Bayless and Sharon Bayless both of Wellsburg, and Rosann (Doug) Groves of Follansbee, who he referred to as 'my girls" and his son Bill (Jamie) Bayless of Austin, Texas. He was affectionately and lovingly known as "Pappy" to his six grandchildren Aaron Prosser, Jennifer Laird, Ryan (Kim) Bayless, Samantha (Matt) Riska, and Lauren (Michael) Feeley and James Groves, and seven great grandchildren: Cody & Liam Laird, Serenity Shaffer, and Blakely, Barrett & Bowen Bayless and Micheal (MJ) Feeley. He also survived by his sister Marjorie (Dan) McGowan. He was also "Uncle Buck" to dozens of nieces and nephews for whom he was a constant source of entertainment at all family gatherings.
He graduated from Wellsburg High School where he lettered in football. He was a proud veteran having served as a Coporal in the US Army during the Korean War stationed at Fort Richardson in Anchorage Alaska. He was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. John's Parish in Wellsburg where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Parish Counsel, an alter server and helped organize and run the parish Bingo program as well as the annual Mother's Day Breakfast. He was also a member of the Wellsburg Moose club. Known for his work ethic, he spent his professional career as a steelworker at Weirton Steel and in his spare time would pour concrete basements and driveways, build cinder block walls, or help his family and friends with whatever projects needed to be completed. He was the person everyone called when they needed something done.
Bored with retirement, he became the custodian at both St. John's School in Wellsburg and Wellsburg Middle School where he was fondly known to the teachers, staff and students as "Mr. B." He loved to travel and enjoy life including extended visits with his family in Austin, Texas where he especially enjoyed smoking cigars by the fire pit and telling embellished stories. He shared a special relationship with and loved his excursions with his adult grandsons Aaron and Ryan, which included an Alaskan Cruise, numerous F1-Races and an 80th birthday celebration in Las Vegas. He lived life vivaciously, truly enjoying every moment and bringing constant laughter and joy to his family, his friends and anyone that happen to cross his path on any given day. He was simply the best son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. He was truly beloved by all and will be dearly missed. The extended family would like to thank his daughters, Debbie and Sharon, for their years of loving care and Amedisys for their compassionate end-of-life hospice care.
Visitation for Buck will be held on Sunday, February 14th from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Mullenbach Funeral Home 669 Main St. Follansbee, WV. A vigil service will be held on Sunday at 4:30 P.M. at the funeral home.
A Catholic funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, February 15th at 10:00 A.M. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 1300 Charles St. Wellsburg, WV with the Rev. Father Arul Anthony as celebrant.
Entombment will follow in Highland Hills Memorial Gardens in Follansbee, WV.
Condolences may be sent to www. mullenbachfh.com.